Keith Johnson of Winter Park, Fla. spotted two deer off the coast of Darien while fishing with friends Sunday, July 17.

Keith Johnson of Winter Park, Fla. spotted two deer off the coast of Darien while fishing with friends Sunday, July 17.

Photo: Contributed Photo

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The deer were struggling and swimming in circles.

The deer were struggling and swimming in circles.

Photo: Contributed Photo

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The fishermen "towed" the deer back to shore.

The fishermen "towed" the deer back to shore.

Photo: Contributed Photo

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The deer made it back to land, where it stood, shaking.

The deer made it back to land, where it stood, shaking.

Photo: Contributed Photo

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Men save deer swimming in the Sound

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Staff reports

While visiting friends this past weekend in Darien, Keith Johnson of Winter Park, Fla., got a surprise when they took a fishing trip Sunday morning.

While out on the water, the group of friends spotted two deer swimming between Sheffield and Fish Island, past the lighthouse.

The decided to rescue the animals but could only get a hold of one. They lassoed a rope onto the antlers and rescued the young buck by “towing” it back to shore. It took a half an hour to get the deer back to land.

“Once on shore, the deer literally just stood still in sheer exhaustion and probable shock,” Johnson said. “Not sure the doe made it; we never saw her again. We did our duty and saved the buck so he could eat another blade of grass. One of the oddest sites you will ever see — deer swimming in the open sea.”

Johnson thinks the deer were swept out to sea from tide currents.

“We have no idea how they got out that far but currents probably swept them out as they were crossing some coastal islands. The deer were very disoriented, swimming in circles.”